Page 14 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

By evening, our other three housemates had arrived, while those from other villas continued straggling in. Vera had come by with a load of firewood and taken orders for pizza. Apparently, we were eating around the firepit tonight.

“Yippee,” I said to the mirror as I took in my sour expression.

I’d wanted to stay in my room and settle in, but Emma had vetoed it. Since I’d agreed to let her make all the decisions, here I stood in the room, not of my choosing, getting ready for a party I didn’t want to attend.

Why had I agreed to this? I remembered. My life was a shit show, and this was supposed to cure me or at least relax me.

When we entered the villa, I’d headed to the back, searching for a secluded room.

Without a word, Emma tapped me on the shoulder and pointed toward the front of the villa.

I looked like Linus dragging his blanket as I pulled my carry-on to the room right off the common area.

At least, she’d taken the one next to me, but still, why did she want to torture me? I’d been a good sister.

I sighed, knowing she wasn’t punishing me.

She’d tell me she was doing this for my own good.

I finished drying my hair and stashed the blow dryer under the sink.

The bathroom was tiny, with only a shower, toilet, and small vanity.

While the size mortified me, Emma had been gleeful we had our own private baths.

Jesus. Do some retreats expect guests to share a bathroom?

I turned from the mirror and walked, naked, into my bedroom, which was also tiny and rundown.

Only two of the four drawers in my IKEA knockoff dresser opened without a struggle.

One stuck and had to be finagled open, while the other lacked a support bar and dangled precariously when open.

I’d put my undergarments in it just in case it tumbled to the floor.

I glared at the outfit I’d laid out on my bed.

Emma hadn’t bought me a single business suit.

Okay, maybe this wasn’t the place for business attire, but at least, she could have selected khakis or high-end workout gear like Lululemon or Athleta.

I’d even settle for Nike or Adidas. Instead, Emma had proclaimed she’d found all the clothes at Kohl’s—on discount.

Ugh. I picked up the discount pair of jeans and slid them on.

They fit like a glove. Of course they did since Emma was practically the same size as me, albeit less muscular.

I’d selected a simple black V-neck shirt, but now I questioned my choice.

Maybe I should throw on one of the many T-shirts she’d purchased since I only had a few of the nicer V-necks.

With a sigh, I refolded the shirt and pulled out a tee with a silly cartoon character on it. Some blue thing with a mouthful of teeth and big pink ears. It resembled a dog, kinda, more like an alien.

I reached for my phone. Emma allowed me to keep it, as long as I didn’t do business while we were here. I’d intentionally not asked her to define business, so I could feign ignorance if she caught me doing something she didn’t approve of.

Madison must have a store with more suitable clothing. I pressed my thumb against the phone but then slammed it on the dresser. Emma wouldn’t go for that. I could call the whole thing off, but not on the first day. I needed to play along for a while, or it would crush Emma.

When I emerged from my room, the others were gathered in the kitchen area.

“Glad you could join us,” Annie said when she saw me. “I thought we were gonna have to drag you out.”

Emma moved up beside me and put her arm over my shoulders. “The others are waiting. Come on.”

I considered digging in my heels and not letting her pull me to the large table that filled one side of the room.

The spacious expanse served as both a dining room and kitchen.

Its simple design featured white appliances, faux marble, and dark wood cabinets.

The color scheme looked more suited to the nineties than today.

“Pizza won’t be delivered for an hour. Should we retire to the common area and get acquainted or stay here?” Emma asked.

I knew I had no say, so I kept quiet.

I couldn’t remember the women’s names, but I thought of them as the hippie, the sad sack, and the hot tight ass. Emma would kick me if she knew I’d already labeled them.

The hippie, dressed in a flowing skirt, tie-dyed T-shirt, and sporting a bandanna, jumped to her feet. “Let’s get more comfortable, so we can vibe. You know, in a casual setting.”

Like this room was so formal.

Emma smiled. “Katlynn’s cast our first vote for the living room.”

I made a mental note. Katlynn equals hippie. Got it.

“We should stay here,” hot tight ass said.

Emma smiled at Katlynn. “Dana just canceled your vote.”

Katlynn wiggled her hips. “I’ve not lost yet.”

A competitive spark glinted in Dana’s eyes as she broke into a monologue enumerating the reasons her choice was the most prudent. Now I remembered. Dana was a lawyer. Wound tight, but hot in a buttoned-down way. I could tap that. I gave her a smile, hoping to get on her good side.

Emma put her hand on the sad sack woman’s shoulder. “What about you, Helena?”

Helena had been sitting with her elbow on the table, resting her head on her hand. She’d pushed the hair back off her forehead as she leaned against her palm. She gazed up at Emma with vacant eyes. In a soft voice, she said, “I don’t care. Whatever everyone else wants.”

I studied her, wondering what her story was. If it weren’t for her stringy, limp hair and haunted eyes, she might be pretty.

“I guess that leaves it up to you and me,” Emma said to Annie.

“Common room,” Annie said without hesitation.

Emma smiled. “I second that vote.”

“Hey, don’t I get a vote?” I said, joining the conversation.

Emma gave me one of her angelic smiles and shook her head. “No, you don’t, honey,” then proceeded to inform the others why I couldn’t vote.

Thinking I could score a few points as we made our way to the common area, I whispered to Dana, “I would have voted with you.”

Dana turned and looked me up and down. “Does your sister control everything you do?” Then she licked her lips, making clear her meaning.

I swallowed hard. Shit just got real. Maybe this experience wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The yellow and orange flames licked at the wood. I stared at the blue flames at the base of the fire, mesmerized by the dance. A loud pop drowned out the crackling fire, and tiny sparks flew into the air. I breathed in the burning wood’s scent. A smell I hadn’t experienced since I was a kid.

“Earth to Blake,” Emma called from across the firepit.

I glanced up. The flickering glow cast a shadow on the faces sitting around the circle. Several women had already retired to their villas, while a handful remained, clinging to the warmth of the fire.

Dana had gone twenty minutes ago, shooting me a suggestive comment before she left. I would have followed had Emma not given me the look. Surely, I could convince Emma that Dana would be a pleasant distraction, but I’d have to get her alone first.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Are you up for s’mores?”

“Geez, we haven’t had s’mores since Auntie…” I glanced at the fire, remembering how much fun we used to have. What the hell? The fire must be hypnotizing me since I wasn’t prone to sentimentality.

“You always did the marshmallows,” Emma said.

“That’s because you’re the devil and don’t have roasting skills.”

Emma shoved four marshmallows onto a long fork and moved as if she were about to shove them into the flames. “Light ’em up and put ’em out.”

“No.” I jumped from my seat. “You beast, give it to me.”

As I made my way around the fire, Emma smiled at Annie. “Works every time.”

I grabbed the fork from her hand and glowered. “Golden brown, not burned.”

Emma shrugged. “Tastes the same to me.”

“Bullshit.” I edged toward the fire and then circled it, looking for the perfect flame.

I was so focused on rotating my marshmallows I didn’t realize someone had sidled up beside me until I felt something brush my arm. Assuming it was Emma coming to taunt me, I turned ready with a sarcastic retort.

I stopped short when I stared into a pair of sparkling blue eyes. The redhead I’d been eyeing across the fire kneeled beside me. “I’m with you,” she said.

With me? Did I miss part of what she said? Did she want to be with me? Shit. I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed.

She must have seen my startled expression because she held up a fork loaded with marshmallows. “Marshmallows should be golden brown.”

“Uh, yeah,” I agreed, nodding like a bobblehead.

She smiled. “My name’s Noelle. Wilson. And you’re Blake.”

Okay. I needed to get it together. I gave her my best smile and said in a cool voice, “That I am. It’s nice to meet you, Noelle Wilson. Those of us who know how to roast marshmallows should stick together.”

She touched my arm. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Crap. Marshmallows. I yanked my fork from the flames and rotated them slowly, inspecting my work. Luckily, my flirtation hadn’t caused damage.

“What are you doing over there?” Emma called. “You’ve got a bunch of hungry mouths to feed. Right, ladies?” Emma said to the others.

A chorus of agreement rang out.

Noelle smirked and said, “I suppose we better get back to business, huh?”

I nodded and returned her smirk. “There’s plenty of time for non-business activities later. Are you here for the entire four weeks?”

She shook her head. “No, just the two-week program. My parents signed me up as a birthday present. Said I needed to meet people.”

Shit. I studied her face in the flickering flames. I’d thought she was older.

She must have noticed my expression because she laughed. “Relax. I’m not jailbait. I just turned thirty-five.”

“Oh.” Well, that was almost eloquent. “That’s generous of your parents, with you being an adult and all.”

“Only child,” she said in explanation. “I mean, I’m the only one they have to spoil.”

“Ah.” Pillow princess? That was okay. I wasn’t looking for someone to marry. “You should have held out for the full four weeks.” I gave her an impish smile.

She raised her eyebrows. “I could add on additional weeks if I had a reason to stay.”

Mic drop. Had I met my match? Or two matches since I still had my eye on Dana.

A hand grabbed my fork. “They’re going to get cold,” Emma said, relieving me of my marshmallows and thrusting another batch in my hand.

She glanced at Noelle. “It looks like yours are done, too.” Emma gestured toward the table where the other ingredients were laid out. “Come on. Let’s build some s’mores.”

Noelle gave me a final glance before she rose and followed my sister.

After we consumed too many s’mores, the party broke up. I’d tried to get all the chocolate and marshmallow off my hands, but in the dim light, I don’t think I’d been successful since every time I touched my face, the overpowering smell of sugar assaulted my senses.

“Come on, Blake,” Emma said. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”

I groaned. “I thought it was a free day before the programs start.”

“It was.”

I tilted my head. “ Was ?”

“Some of the girls want to go hiking, and I thought it would be fun.”

“And I have no vote.”

Emma patted me on the arm. “You’re catching on quick.”

We said our goodbyes to the few remaining around the fire. I thought I detected a look of disappointment from Noelle, but maybe it was wishful thinking.

Silence filled the villa when we entered.

Everyone must have retired already. A warm glow came from a single table lamp in the common area.

With a makeover, this space could be impressive.

As it was, the worn furniture, scuffed hardwood floors, soot-stained fireplace, and out-of-date fixtures dampened the allure.

Only the warm honey-colored wood walls seemed well-preserved.

“Too bad this place is so rundown,” I said.

“What about this?” Emma approached the south side of the room and spread her arms toward the twenty-foot ceilings. The entire wall was a bank of windows, except for the glass double doors that led to the porch. “The entire room is bathed in sunlight during the day.”

“Which makes it easier to see the blemishes.”

Emma’s face fell. “Why can’t you find the beauty in things?”

Ouch. Was I already exasperating Emma?

I plopped down on the well-worn sofa, expecting a cloud of dust, but none came. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to ruin your time, Em.” I ran both hands over my face and through my hair. When had I lost my spark? I’d always been more driven than Emma, but when had I become this?

“We used to have fun together,” Emma said.

The used to wasn’t lost on me. “And I want to again.” I meant it, but I didn’t know how to make it happen anymore.

Emma sat beside me and patted my leg. “I’ve seen sparks of it. Stop being so serious. Let it come back.”

Her hand still rested on my leg, so I put my hand on top of hers. “I want to.” I’ve missed it. I should have said it aloud, but I already felt exposed. “Ya know, it’s only day one.”

Emma smiled. “You’re right. It took time for you to get this way, so it’s gonna take a while to uncoil you.” She chuckled. “And remove that stick from your ass.”

“Hey.” I glowered. “I’ll have you know it’s a branch. When I do something, I go big.”

“Ha. Amateur. I would’ve been impressed if you’d said a tree trunk.”

I laughed, and it felt good.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Emma said.

I studied her face and noted the gleam in her eye. I lifted my arms over my head and feigned a yawn. “Ah, it’s getting late. I suppose we should turn in.”

“Nice try.”

I shrugged.

“Noelle and Dana are off limits.” She wagged her finger at me. “It’s something else you’re not allowed to choose.”

“Seriously?” I groaned. “I have needs, you know?”

“You’ll survive.” She stood from the couch. “Now it’s time for bed.”

“But you don’t know them,” I whined.

“And neither do you.” Emma turned and left the room.